Origins of World War I

Four MAIN causes of World War I M ilitarism Building up armed forces to prepare for war A lliances (see below) I mperialism The practice of strong countries taking economic, political and military power over weaker countries N ationalism The belief that the interests of a single country were more important than cooperation among countries.

Assassination of Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand Sarajevo, Bosnia, June 1914 Sarajevo, Bosnia, June 1914 Serbian teenager, Gavrilo Princip, was the shooter Serbian teenager, Gavrilo Princip, was the shooter Member of a radical nationalist group known as the Black Hand Member of a radical nationalist group known as the Black Hand

Entangling Alliances ItalyGermanyAustria- Hungary FranceBritainRussiaSerbia RussiaBritainFranceBelgium

The War Begins Austria-Hungary saw it as an act of war. Serbia called on their allies, the Russians - military mobilized Austria-Hungary saw it as an act of war. Serbia called on their allies, the Russians - military mobilized Austria found out about the Russian military – went to their ally, Germany, for help Austria found out about the Russian military – went to their ally, Germany, for help By August, everyone involved in the treaties had declared war on everyone else. By August, everyone involved in the treaties had declared war on everyone else.

Military problems Thought it would be fast - a “brief, cleansing thunderstorm” – lasted four years Thought it would be fast - a “brief, cleansing thunderstorm” – lasted four years No “big picture” No “big picture” No experience with large scale – war – 19 th century tactics No experience with large scale – war – 19 th century tactics

On the Front lines Trench Warfare - thousands of miles long Trench Warfare - thousands of miles long Trench Warfare Trench Warfare Dead soldiers not buried – stacked up to build wall Dead soldiers not buried – stacked up to build wall Stayed up to waist in water – trench rot, spread disease Stayed up to waist in water – trench rot, spread disease Killing capacity higher that military strategy- used 19th-century techniques like “over the top” Killing capacity higher that military strategy- used 19th-century techniques like “over the top” Pal brigades - for morale; wiped out entire towns of their young men Pal brigades - for morale; wiped out entire towns of their young men

The weapons Machine guns Machine guns Poison gas – also called mustard gas or yellow gas for its color – caused soldiers to panic - killed many Poison gas – also called mustard gas or yellow gas for its color – caused soldiers to panic - killed many Airplanes Airplanes Tanks – not successful until World War II Tanks – not successful until World War II Flamethrowers Flamethrowers Submarines – also called U-boats Submarines – also called U-boats Airships – German word was zeppelin Airships – German word was zeppelin

The US joins the war Wilson is the president – he was in favor of neutrality because he thought war immoral, and for foreign trade Wilson is the president – he was in favor of neutrality because he thought war immoral, and for foreign trade Germans can’t win without a British blockade, so they deny trade by making it dangerous Germans can’t win without a British blockade, so they deny trade by making it dangerous U-Boats hit neutral ships, breaking international law – could sink ships, but had to give 30 minute warning to get passengers off – that’s not possible with subs U-Boats hit neutral ships, breaking international law – could sink ships, but had to give 30 minute warning to get passengers off – that’s not possible with subs Lusitania sunk with Americans onboard – angered the US – Germans stopped in 1915, restarted in 1917 Lusitania sunk with Americans onboard – angered the US – Germans stopped in 1915, restarted in 1917 Zimmerman note – said that TX, NM, and AZ would be returned to Mexico if they would help the Germans – questions about its authenticity Zimmerman note – said that TX, NM, and AZ would be returned to Mexico if they would help the Germans – questions about its authenticity Russian government fell – became democratic - supporters could say this was a war for democracy Russian government fell – became democratic - supporters could say this was a war for democracy

Alliances at the end of the war Triple Alliance (Central Powers) ItalyGermanyAustria- Hungary Allied Powers FranceBritainRussiaSerbia RussiaBritainFranceBelgium ItalyIndiaAfrican colonies United States JapanNew Zealand